Women's Basketball Earns 72-60 Win Over Malone

The Northwood University women's basketball team earned a 72-60 win over Malone Saturday afternoon (December 8).

The Timberwolves are now 5-3 overall, 3-1 in the GLIAC.  Malone falls to 5-2 overall, 2-2 in the GLIAC.

Malone came out strong early on, leading by as many as 11 in the opening eight minutes.  After struggling for much of the half, Northwood took control of the game in the final 7:30.  Trailing 24-16, Northwood finished the half on a 26-3 run, which sent the Timberwolves to the locker room with a 42-27 lead.  Both teams struggled from the floor in the half – Northwood finished at 35.3 percent (12-34) while Malone finished at 24.2 percent (8-33).  NU used the foul line to earn the lead, going 13-14 from the stripe in the opening 20 minutes.

Northwood led by as many as 17 in the second half, but Malone stayed within striking distance the rest of the way.  The Pioneers got within seven at 58-51, but Northwood responded on the next possession with a Rachel Church (Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek) triple that got the lead back up to 10.  Malone got no closer than nine the rest of the way.

For the game, Northwood shot 32.3 percent (20-62) from the floor while Malone finished at 33.9 percent (20-59).  Both teams hit six 3-point field goals, but Northwood's strong free throw shooting proved to be the key to the win.  NU finished at 26-30 (86.7 percent) while Malone finished at 14-21 (66.7 percent).  Northwood's bench also was a big part of the win, scoring 40 points.

Four Timberwolves finished in double figures in the game, led by redshirt freshman Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes).  She had 16 points, going 7-8 from the foul line.  Church finished with 14 points and four rebounds, while Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) added 12.  Freshman Jordyn Nuerenberg (St. John's, Mich.) scored 10.

Northwood returns to action December 17 at No. 1 Ashland.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.